Mary Ann Krekel, 92, of Burlington, died Monday, Feb. 19 at Klein Center, following a journey with dementia. Mary Ann was born in Burlington on Dec. 17, 1931 to Albert and Helen Zaiser Champagne.
She graduated from Burlington High School, class of 1949. Mary Ann met Jim Krekel on a blind date, and they were married on July 25, 1953. They enjoyed forty-eight years of loving marriage until Jim died on June 15, 2001.
Mary Ann enjoyed working at Dr. Hahn's dental office, but then happily took on her role as wife and mother. She said she always wanted a large family. And she did, raising their six children in a home filled with love and laughter.
Mary Ann was a Girl Scout leader at St. John's School as well as active in the PTA. She spent many years volunteering her time baking and then selling refreshments every Tuesday at the Knights of Columbus BINGO. She also served for many years with the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary as well as the Funeral Ladies Luncheon group at St. John's Catholic Church.
Mary Ann's greatest pride was always in her family. Each of her children was blessed with one of her hand-made quilts and each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with a baby quilt.
Mary Ann is survived by her children: Laurie (Paul) Lata of Madison, Wis., Linda (Gary) Messmore of La Grange Park, Ill., Louise (Ken) Lewis of Kansas City, Kan., Tom (Sue) Krekel of Des Moines, Anne (Brian) Mitchell of Burlington, Dan (Ronda) Krekel of Blue Springs, Mo.; grandchildren, Kurt Lewis, Amanda (Brandon) Burgus, Kelly Lewis, Sarah (Dan) Floriano, Natalie (Fairman) Campbell, Scott Mitchell, Andrew (Lauren) Krekel, Katie (Daniel) Ryan, Benjamin (Elysia) Krekel, Alex Messmore, Owen Krekel, Brittany Krekel, and Brandon Krekel; and great-grandchildren, Parker and Brinley Burgus; Nick, Ben and Jake Floriano; James, Evelyn and Grant Campbell; Raymond Krekel; and Elliot Ryan. She is further survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Coyne, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, parents, brother, Donald Champagne, sister, Margie Yale, and twin grandsons, Albert and Louis Krekel.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Visitation will be held at Divine Mercy Parish - St. John's Catholic Church 9:30 t0 11 a.m.Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, with the Funeral Mass of the Resurrection to follow with Very Rev. Father Patrick J. Hilgendorf, V.F. as the celebrant.
Donations in memory of Mary Ann Krekel can be made to The Burlington Iowa Municipal Band or Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.
She is finally home...